OCTOBER FRLAEF DEADLINES
- FRLAEF Regional Workshop, Armwood High School, Seffner–October 9, 2015 is the REGISTRATION deadline
- FRLAEF Regional Workshop, Johnson & Wales University–October 23, 2015 is the REGISTRATION deadline
- FRLAEF Regional Workshop, Keiser University, Tallahassee–October 30, 2015 is the REGISTRATION deadline
- Hospitality Industry Internship Application Due by October 16, 2015
- ProStart Competition Application Due by October 16, 2015
Regional Workshops
The FRLAEF is offering six Regional Workshops this fall at locations around the state. ProStart teachers may bring up to five students to each event. There is no fee to attend a Regional Workshop. Lunch will be provided for all attendees at each event. Chef coats will be given to all participating ProStart students at each event.
CLICK HERE for the FRLAEF Regional Workshop page. Here you will find information on each event along with links to register.
If Regional Workshops reach maximum capacity prior to the deadline, all subsequent schools will be placed on the waiting list. Event registration begins at 8:30 am and concludes no later than 2:00 pm. Schools may register for more than one event, but priority will be given to first-time attendees.
2015-2016 Premier Schools
We are pleased to announce the 2015-2016 Premier ProStart Schools. These schools have met the high standards outlined in the school classification document. Schools were eligible for Premier status based on meeting benchmarks within the ProStart program during the 2014-2015 school year. As with all school classification contracts, this status is for the 2015-2016 school year only. Schools will be evaluated each year to determine their status.
Full or Curriculum Only Schools are welcome to work toward the Premier status during the current school year. Please let us know if you have questions regarding achieving a new status.
BAYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL, Stuart Gray, Chris Cox, Instructors
BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL, Sheila Richards, Instructor
BOWERS/WHITLEY CAREER CENTER, Cheryl White, Instructor
COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL, Cheryl Bender, Instructor
EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL, Billie DeNunzio, Pam Bedford, Instructors
GOLDEN GATE HIGH SCHOOL, Maria Isabel Crisanti, Instructor
HIALEAH HIGH SCHOOL, Kathy Gonzalez, Instructor
LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, Emmanuelle Suarez, Anthony Zottoli, Instructors
LECANTO HIGH SCHOOL, Suzanne Sheffield, Instructor
MAINLAND HIGH SCHOOL, Jason Kester, Troy Logan, Instructors
MARTIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, Shaun Southwick, Ashley Sesta, Instructors
NASSAU COUNTY CAREER TECH ED, Bill Castleberry, Instructor
NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL, John Beck, Curtis Serata, Instructors
SOUTH PLANTATION HIGH SCHOOL, Jacqueline Lowe, Judy Baker, Instructors
SOUTH TECH ACADEMY, Suzanne O’Neil, Walter Tanner, Instructors
TARPON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL, Cathleen Ryan, Vincent Pesce, Tony DeVincenzo, Instructors
TERRY PARKER HIGH SCHOOL, Ginger Stehlin, Dean Hanapel, Instructors
WIREGRASS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL, Raymond Webb, Instructor
Mini Grants Applications Under Review
The FRLAEF received Mini Grant applications from 119 schools. The FRLAEF Board is currently reviewing those applications to disburse $80,000 in available funds to schools who met the requirements.
All applicants will be notified their status by October 16, 2015. Be on the lookout for an email with this information from the FRLAEF.
Chef’s Warehouse October Specials
PLACEMATS (CLICK HERE)
Contact Luanna Skeens for options and pricing:
lskeens@chefs-warehouse.com • 7200 W Colonial Drive • Orlando • FL • 32818 P: 407.294.0300 • F: 407.294.8565
NRAEF Data Collection (Fall Survey)
The ProStart Data Collection has begun! Emails were sent to all schools from ProStartProgramInfo@westat.com. If you did not receive your email, check your junk/spam folder. None of the emails bounced back.
Once you complete the survey, the FRLAEF will send you free SafeStaff Foodhandler Guides. These are on a first-come, first served basis, so complete your NRAEF survey as soon as possible.
TWO THINGS FROM NRAEF
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BEST PRACTICE: Have your students register at the ProStart website early in the school year to begin keeping track of the hours they put in on the job, at school-based enterprises or in relevant volunteer/service positions. Students can “count” hours earned up to one year prior to their initial ProStart exam when applying for a ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA).
CURRICULUM CORRECTIONS: NRAEF has found two errors in Appendix A of the Foundations textbooks (Level 1-page 807 and Level 2-page 761). The appendix, “Staying in Touch with the National Restaurant Association throughout your Career” references a “special program scholarship for ProStart students who earn the National Certificate of Achievement.” While additional points are awarded on scholarship applications to students who have or will earn their COA, there is no special “COA scholarship.” Check the Scholarships page on the NRAEF website regularly to learn what scholarships are available and the deadline for applications, which change each year. The appendix also references a student membership in the National Restaurant Association. While many states have student memberships, the National Restaurant Association does not.
Your Students Can Apply For a Burger King Scholarship
The requirements to become a BURGER KING℠ Scholar are simple. You must apply within the application period, and fit the prerequisites below:
- Have a strong academic record with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0,
- Be passionate about serving the community, and
- Be a high school senior, BURGER KING® employee, spouse/domestic partner or child of an employee.
CLICK HERE for all information and online application. Application deadline is December 15, 2015.
High school students should be graduating seniors with plans to attend a four-year accredited university in the U.S. BK® employees can further their education by using the scholarship for non-degree courses such as accounting, computer or language courses.
If you want to go a step further, the McLamore Family Foundation created the James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship Award, granting a $50,000 scholarship to three students each year since 2011. The four-year scholarship is intended to help the top students that apply achieve their educational and professional goals, along with serving as a tribute to Jim himself. Details at link.
ServSafe Materials
Each Premier and Full ProStart program are eligible for free ServSafe materials. To ensure you get the materials you need, you must notify us of your needs. Once we receive your ProStart Classification paperwork, you can order up to $350 of ServSafe materials. Click here for the ServSafe price list. Email Amy Parker to place your order–you do not need to fill out the form. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
ProStart Scantrons
The FRLAEF will distribute over $43,000 worth of free ProStart Exam Scantrons to Premier and Full ProStart schools during the 2015-2016 school year. Once a school has turned in their ProStart Classification paperwork, email Amy Parker to let her know how many ProStart Exam Scantrons you need. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Scholarships
The FRLAEF will award $40,000 in scholarships during the 2015-2016 school year. These scholarships will be awarded during the Salute to Excellence Awards in the Spring. The scholarship application will be available in late Fall.
Hospitality Industry Internships–Due This Month
The Hospitality Industry Internship (HII) provides the opportunity for Florida ProStart instructors to work in a foodservice establishment for at least 40 hours. At the completion of 40 work hours, the HII participant will receive a personal check for $600 from the FRLAEF.
To qualify for an internship, the instructor must teach the ProStart curriculum during the 2015-2016 school year. The goal of the HII is to provide the instructor an opportunity to learn fresh skills in a new setting. If you are already employed at a restaurant, you MAY NOT use that site for your internship. The restaurant must also be a new work experience for you, not somewhere you have worked before or used as a past HII internship location.
Work experience may begin once the applicant receives an award letter from the FRLAEF.
If you are awarded an Internship and do not complete the required work component, you will be ineligible to receive an internship for the 2016-2017 school year. The applicant must secure a position at a foodservice facility where a minimum of 40 hours of hands-on experience is guaranteed. The host location may pay the recipient but is not required to do so.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 16, 2015
AWARD NOTIFICATION: October 23, 2015
INTERNSHIP COMPLETED BY: March 25, 2016
Click here to fill out the online application.
ProStart Culinary Team Competitions–Due This Month
The 16th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competitions is scheduled for Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.
On Friday, February 5, half of the Culinary Teams and Management Teams will compete along with all Edible Centerpiece teams. On Saturday, February 6, the remaining Culinary and Management teams will compete along with all of the Waiter Relay Teams. Competitions will begin earlier in the morning and conclude earlier in the afternoon. The competition will be followed by an awards dinner at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.
AID FOR COMPETING SCHOOLS The FRLAEF will provide stipends to offset the cost of participating in the event. The stipend amount will be announced when the number of competing teams is finalized.
RULES The FRLAEF is waiting for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to release their Culinary and Management Rules prior to the FRLAEF releasing the Florida rules. The Culinary and Management Competitions mirror the national rules. The Waiters Relay and the Edible Centerpiece competitions are unique events to Florida.
HOTEL The room rate at the Rosen Plaza Hotel for 2016 is $119 per night. To make a reservation, call 800-627-8258. When you call to make a reservation, you must reference this group: FRLAEF ProStart Competition & Salute to Excellence Awards. Make your reservations now! This room rate is based on hotel availability.
PARTICIPATION Click Here for the competition application. The application deadline is Friday, October 16, 2015. Applicants will be notified their status by Friday, October 23, 2015. Premier ProStart schools are guaranteed a spot in the competition and do not have to fill out the application (this school year only).
Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner
The Salute to Excellence Awards will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. The awards dinner will recognize all ProStart Competition, Pineapple Award, Scholarship recipients and Hospitality Excellence Awards winners. Registration will begin in December 2015.
The 20th Annual ProStart Teacher Training Institute will take place in June 19-24, 2016. The week-long training provides Florida ProStart instructors with the knowledge necessary to teach the ProStart curriculum. Each day’s learning is built around topics covered in the ProStart curriculum.
LOCATION
All classes will be held at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) North Miami campus, 1701 NE 127th Street, North Miami, Florida, 33181.
PROGRAM COST
The FRLAEF will cover the cost of all Florida ProStart instructors who will be teaching the ProStart curriculum during the 2016-2017 school year. Attendees will be responsible for their travel and some meals.
REGISTRATION
Online registration will begin in the Spring.